James Roger Hastings

James Roger Hastings, 97, of Naylor, Georgia, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 6, 2023, at Langdale Hospice House. He was born on October 5, 1925, in Manchester, Georgia to the late Thomas Watson and Kate Johnson Hastings. He moved to Lowndes County at a young age and spent his childhood years in Remerton, Georgia and his adult years in Valdosta and Naylor, Georgia. He served in the Navy in 1944 during World War II and was a life-long member of the local American Legion. He retired from Owens Illinois in 1984 with 30 years of service. He was a member of Good Hope Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and Sunday school director. James loved hunting and fishing. He was a member of the Law Enforcement Hunting Club where he served as the club’s game warden for many years. He loved watching NASCAR, sports and was an avid Atlanta Braves fan. He was an enthusiastic bowler, was a Boy Scout Leader in Remerton, Georgia, and in his younger years was passionate about riding his BSA motorcycle. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was a big teaser.

He is survived by his son, Van Robert Hastings (Dot), of Valdosta; daughter Mary Kathryn Pacey (Mark), of Palm Coast, FL; grandchildren, Van Robert Hastings, Jr (Tricia), of Nashville, GA, Jonathon Wayne Hastings (Christina), of Decatur, GA, Ashley Stoops (Nathan) of Palm Coast, FL, and Devin Thigpen (Brittany), of Nashville, GA; his great grandchildren, Celia Hastings, Zoe Adeline Hastings, Audrey Wynn Hastings and Liam McMullan; sister-in-law Ruth Salter Futch, of Valdosta, GA; and special nieces and nephews, Claudia Hastings Hasty, Tom Cosby, Sr, Linda Cosby Dasher, Madge Cosby Allen; and was loved by many generations of grand nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kate Johnson and Thomas Watson Hastings; brothers, Erroll Hastings, Doris Hastings, and sister, Zelma Hastings Cosby and his loving wife of over 76 years, Rachel Salter Hastings.

The family would like to recognize special friends Jamie, Felecia, Pat, Missy, Debbie and Kim who loved and cared for him. We also want to thank the wonderful staff of Langdale Hospice for their compassionate care and love. The family would especially like to thank Dr. Tim Brady for all the years of excellent care he provided.

Services for James Roger Hastings will be held in the chapel of Carson McLane Funeral Home on Sunday, July 9, 2023 at 2pm with Pastors John Page, Jason Spells and Dub Music officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery.

The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1-2pm.  Flowers will be accepted or donations can be made to Good Hope Baptist Church building fund, P.O. Box 585, Lakeland, GA 31635 or Hospice of South Georgia, 2263 Pineview Dr., Valdosta, GA 31602. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com

Carson McLane Funeral Home.